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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

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Sh.elf..z:4.Jii«? 

UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. 



DRA6HKOV 



RUSSIAN DRAMA 



Five Acts 



by 



FLORENCE T. DONNELL 



\ 



New York: 

Press of William R. Jenkins. 

851 & 853 Sixth Aye. 

1890. 



DRA6HKOV 



RUSSIAN DRAMA 



Five Acts 



" y 

FLORENCE T. DONNELL. 



Copyrighted, 1890, by Florence T. Donnell. 



" 



PRESS OF 




WILLIAM R. JENKINS, 

851 & 853 Sixth Ave., 

New York. 





CHARACTEES. 



Nihilists. 



DIMITRI MICHAELOVICH DRACHKOV, the Gen 

eral G overnor of Kiev. 
IVAN VASSILIEVICH STROGONOV, 
SERGE IVANOVICH MILUTINE, 
VASSILI PETROVICH OBRENOV, 
PRINCE VLADIMIR STRAKOVSKI, aide de camp 

of the General Governor. 
CONSTANTINE REMIROV, ) Tj nder i nspe ctors of 
NICHOLAS DIMITROVICH, j Police at Kiev. 
BARON RAPSKINE, Envoy of the Minister of the 

Interior. 
MATVEI, valet of Drachkov. 
OLGA IVANOVNA MILUTINE, Serge's sister. 



Time : 1884. 

Place : Kiev, Government of Kiev, European Russia. 



Act I, The Conspiracy. 
" II, The General Governor. 
" III, Nihilism and Nature. 
" IV, The Betrayal. 
" V, The Vengeance. 



TMP92-009116 



DRACHKOV. 



ACT I. 



Large, sparsely furnished room. Table in centre, with chairs 
placed regularly around it, somewhat as in a committee-room. 
Pamphlets and newspapers scattered upon it. Stands of books 
left, and small printing press right. Large, white porcelaine 
stove right. Engravings and maps on walls. Door, 1. f. ; 
window, r. f., with view of the roofs and bulbous minarets of a 
Russian church. Approaching dusk, outside, with falling snow. 



SCENE I. 

IVAN and VASSILI seated. Vassili on the I. and Ivan 
on the r. of the table. 

Vassili. — You who have so much influence with Ol^a 
Ivanovna, you her brother's best friend, could you not 
say a word in my favor, tell her how I love her, how 

Ivan, rising indignantly, and pushing his chair noisily 
aside. — Well, you are suited, Vassili Petrovich, to be 
entrusted with the momentous interests of a solemn 
cause, you who have no thoughts but for the idle love- 
dreams of a sickly boy. When I tell you that if the 
present state of things but continues a few months 
longer we will have to shut up the last free printing- 
press in Kiev, you answer with abstracted glances and 
wandering eyes, or with some encomium of the graces 



4 DRACHKOV. 

and charms of Serge's sister. When I tell you that 
if Drachkov but remains General Governor a year 
longer the holy cause of revolt and destruction will be 
dead in south-eastern Russia, you respond with some 
wild project of wedding Olga Ivanovna, covering your 
disgraceful folly with hypocritical talk about serving 
the interests of the propaganda by so sage an alliance. 

Vassili. — And why should it be a disgraceful folly 
to love Olga Ivanovna? Why should it be hypocritical 
madness to desire to wed her ? Could we not serve the 
cause better together than separately ? Surely you will 
not deny the distinction and grace of Olga, her un- 
selfish devotion to freedom and progress ; and my 
fidelity, surely you do not doubt that ? 

Ivan. — Your fidelity, no ; your intelligence, yes ; 
besides, I have other projects for Olga — other uses for 
her talents and devotion . 

Vassili, angrily. — Other uses for her talents and devo- 
tion ! You who think you can dispose of every one as a 
master, do you claim authority over Olga Ivanovna 
aJso? 

Ivan. — Ah! I think you even honor me with your 
jealousy, as if I had aught to do with such follies. 

Vassili. — But then you whom Olga so respects— so 
believes in, could you not say one word in my behalf- 
one word of reason and persuasion ? 

Ivan. — I make a marriage ! I was born into the 
world to destroy institutions, not to add to their slaves : 
and what will come after the great destruction, I know 
not ; perhaps if I did, I should not have the courage to 
work for it. But a truce to idle musings ; I believe I 



ACT I. 5 

have caught a hesitating sentimentality from this silly 
talk. In our great and terrible task we have no time 
to waste ; and so to serious things. Do you know 
anything of the new affiliate, Nicholas Dimitrovich, 
whom Serge is to bring to us to-night? 

Vassili. — Only what Serge tells me of their meeting. 
It was Christmas morning. 

Ivan. — Christmas morning! He has not known him 
even four weeks, and yet brings him here, to the head- 
centre of all our propaganda for the governments of 
Kiev and Vollrynia, brings him here to discover our 
printing press, to learn our methods of work, our plans 
for the future, perhaps in order to betray us to the 
authorities, perhaps in order to give us up to the ven- 
geance of Drachkov. 

Vassili. — Ah, that I do not believe, for he hates the 
General Governor with a bitter hatred. 

Ivan. — And might he not affect that hatred in order 
the better to cover his plans? Who knows but he may 
be a paid agent, a spy of Drachkov? Ah, you have 
been easy dupes. 

Vassili, — Not as easy as you think. I will tell you 
about their first meeting and then you will judge if he 
is not sincere. Serge and his sister were walking up 
Vladimir street to their home, jostled by the immense 
crowd (coming from the old cathedral) — larger than 
usual at this season of the year when there are so many 
pilgrims in the city. Suddenly the two mounted cossacks 
who always precede the Governor's sleigh, came rushing 
down the Perspective, scattering the terror-struck 
crowd, who huddled back, like frightened sheep, against 
the side walks. Then came the sleigh with its three 



6 DRACHKOV. 

horses abreast, dashing, at a mad pace, their bells tink- 
ling through the clear, cold air ; the hugh coachman on 
the box wrapped in his comfortable furs, clacking his 
long whip wildly, and recklessly driving on the masses 
of people while Drachkov sat within, stiff and straight, 
haughty and hard, answering a fugitive cheer of the 
stupid moujicks with an impassible military salute. 

Ivan. — Well, what of that? Have we not all seen that 
pompous spectacle before, and too often, too? 

Vassili. — But I had to tell you all that, to make you 
understand what follows. In the rush and skurry many 
found difficulty in escaping from the heels of the advanc- 
ing horses ; among them a little blond-haired fellow of 
about seven years of age who seemed to loose his head 
from confusion and fright, ran hither and thither, and 
would infallibly have been trampled lifeless if a man 
from the crowd had not rushed forward and, at the 
risk of his life, dragged him away just as the hoofs of 
the horses grazed his prostrate body. 

Ivan. — And that man was Nicholas Dimitrovich, I 
suppose ? 

Vassili. — Yes, you are right ; but wait, and you will 
see if he is really sincere . Drachkov rose quickly to 
his feet and ordered the coachman to halt, then cast 
his eyes on the sidewalk to the left from which came 
the sound of piercing cries. It was the mother of the 
little boy who, perceiving her child's danger, frantic 
with fright, would have rushed forward herself if she 
had not been held by Olga Ivanovna, who tried to 
console her. 

Ivan. — Well, what followed ? 



ACT t 7 

Vassili. — Drachkov looked at the poor mother and 
Olga with such a strange, piercing glance, as if he were 
indignant at them for showing so much feeling. But 
Olga looked back at hirn proudly, her beautiful eyes 
flashing with indignation. 

Ivan. — Hum! so he stared at Olga, did he? Well, 
go on. 

Vassili. — Then he motioned with a short, imperious 
gesture to Nicholas Demitrovich (who had just carried 
the child back to his mother), and calling him to the 
back of the sleigh, spoke a few words to him, gave 
him some money for the poor mother, then — with the 
same impassible, haughty air, the same absence of 
excitement as if a human life risked were too small a 
trifle for a moment's thought — he gave the order to 
start, and the cortege rattled out of sight at a brisk trot. 

Ivan. — Continue ; I think I begin to understand it. 
Nicholas Dimitrovich, when he gave the mother her 
money, addressed some polite words to Olga Ivanovna. 
Is it not so ? 

Vassili. — Not at all. But Serge, who was there, con- 
gratulated him upon his heroism and, with his usual 
frankness, expressed a vehement indignation at the 
indifference and the careless brutality of the coachman. 

Ivan. — And Nicholas Dimitrovich answered in the 
same strain ? 

Vassili. — Oh, he was much more emphatic. He said 
that men like Drachkov could not be expected to have 
any feeling for the woes of the people ; and much more 
to the same effect. Then he walked home with Serge 



8 ► DRACHKOV. 

and Olga. Serge asked him to come and see them, and 
he has been there almost every evening since. 

Ivan. — And of what did he talk ? 

Vassili. — Oh, while he played cards with Serge, he 
talked of the vices of the present administration ; of 
the future of Russia and, above all, of the harsh and 
resolute character of the present General Governor. It 
seems he has a cousin who was formerly in Drachkov's 
service — knew him in his youth, and has told Nicholas 
Dimitrovich of all his peculiarities. 

Ivan. — That is well. I may obtain some information 
from him, but I shall watch him closely ; and you, 
Vassili Petrovich, be cautious. (Noise of footsteps behind 
the scenes. Ivan starts forivard and listens at the door ; 
Vassili rises hastily.) Quick, put away the pamphlets 
and cover the printing press. ( Vassilli hastily gathers 
up pamphlets and papers and throws table-cover over printing 
pyress.) Ah, it is Serge and his sister : I recognize their 
steps ; but there is some one else with them. (Four 
knocks on the door : one, slowly ; then two, quicky ; then, 
after a short interval, another, slowly.) Who is there? 

Voice of Serge, from the outside. — Brothers in destruc- 
tion and danger, avengers in exile and death. 

Enter Serge, Olga, and Nicholas. 



SCENE II. 
SERGE, OLGA, NICHOLAS, VASSILI, and IVAN. 

(Serge takes Nicholas by the hand and advances towards 
Ivan and Vassili who stand in the c; backs toward the c. 



ACT I, 9 

Serge. — Salutations, friends. I bring you a new 
associate, Nicholas Diniitrovich, whose amiabilit} r , 
talents and enthusiastic devotion to our sacred cause 
will, I trust, win him all the consideration he deserves. 

Olga. — And whose courage and humanity will be an 
honor to our brotherhood. 

Ivan. — You are welcome, Nicholas Demitrovich — 
received with a generous confidence. You will be 
recompensed, if faithful by esteem and fidelity ; if un- 
faithful, by a remorseless punishment from which no 
power — however highly placed, however deeply rooted 
— will be able to protect you. 

Nicholas. — Be assured of it, those to whom I really 
owe fidelity I shall never betray. 

( Olga seated near table, I. c. , Vassili standing behind her. 
Serge, Ivan, and Nicholas nearer the foreground, I. 
Nicholas takes out a cigarette case and offers a cigarette 
to Ivan, who refuses ; and one to Serge, who accepts. ) 

Olga. — Oh, that Drachkov ! How can any one who 
wields so much power — who could make so many 
human beings happy — be so harsh and cruel. 

Vassili. — And what are other human beings to him if 
he can reach wealth, glory, and the favor of the Czar. 

Nicholas. — Dimitri Michaelovich was born rich, and 
has gained much glory in his profession ; since a sixteen- 
year old officer from the school of pages he won the 
cross of Saint George in the trenches of Sebastopol. 

Ivan. — For so determined a liberal, you seem strangely 
enthusiastic about our military despot, Nicholas Demi- 
trovich. 



10 DRACHKOV. 

Serge. — Bat if you could only hear him talk when he 
is with us, how enthusiastic and sympathetic he is. 

Nicholas. — Those who underate their adversaries may 
wreck their cause. Is it not to your interest to know 
the real character of Drachkov? 

Ivan. — And what is it — this real character ? They say 
you have a cousin who was in his service in his youth. 
It is in youth that the real character shows. What 
sort of a young man was Drachkov — a man of pleasure 
like most of his kind ? 

Nicholas. — A man of work, rather — full of energy 
and ambition, though they say he had what people have 
agreed to call a tempestuous youth. 

Ivan. — In plain Russian that means a youth of vile 
and vulgar pleasures. 

Nicholas. — You may call it anything you like ; but, 
if a stormy, it was a very short one. 

Ivan. — And where did these tempests waft him — to 
the gaming table or the boudoir? 

Nicholas, smiling. — To the boudoir, I think ; but 
that is all ancient history. 

Ivan. — No history is too ancient which gives us a clue 
to the present. (Aside.) And he stared at the beautiful 
Olga. 

Nicholas. — However sincere a servant of a good cause 
I may be, I will yet warn you that it will be exceedingly 
difficult to trap Drachkov by any weaknesses he may 
possess, for he has an iron self-control. (Aside.) What 
are they aiming at? 



ACT t 11 

Ivan, rising, and crossing towards r, near the back- 
ground. — Come this way, Serge, I have a little private 
matter to discuss with you — an affair that concerns you 
only. Meanwhile we will leave Nicholas Dimitrovich to 
continue his panegyric of his hero to Olga Jvanovna ; 
she will scarcely receive it as patiently as I. (As he 
goes up towards the background, he glances back at Nicholas 
who has joined the group formed by Vassili and Olga in 
the c.) The miserable spy, as if I did not see through 
him like glass. 

(Olga still seated near the table in c. ; Vassili standing behind, 
her chair, facing the audience. Nicholas, I. c. , facing 
Olga, his side being toward the audience.) 

Nicholas. — Surely, Olga Ivanovna has too upright a 
mind not to respect accuracy even if it makes her task 
more difficult. (Aside, glancing at Serge and Ivan.) 
What can they be plotting there ? 

Olga. — But why do you talk so differently now of the 
hard and cruel man who governs us here, you who 
shared all my brother's opinions and mine of his harsh- 
ness — his cruel, domineering and despotic spirit which 
cannot endure that there should exist any personal 
dignity or enlightenment where it has sway? 

Nicholas. — And I would not dispute your opinion s 
now. I have but tried to impress upon your friends 
that any other means of propaganda would be more 
successful than those which would jar against the 
strong and centralized character of Drachkov. 

Vassili. — But, you an intelligent man, how can you 
tolerate one who would strike at all liberty of thought 
— all freedom of expression. 



12 • DRACHKOV. 

Nicholas. — To judge justly is not always to admire. 
But you, Olga Ivanovna, what is the cause of your 
fervent hatred of Drachkov ? 

Olga, rising. — What is the cause of my hatred of 
Drachkov! What is the cause of my hatred of all those 
who would trample under foot human dignity and 
human hopes ? It is because I love humanity ; because 
I have boundless and splendid hopes for its future. 
The more humble, the more dark, the more lowly the 
poor living creatures the more tenderly do I sympathize 
with them — the more magnificient and exquisite does 
their future appear in the transfigurations of my 
dreams. I hate Drachkov ; I hate all their oppressors — 
all those who would keep them in darkness, not so 
much for the poor joys of the dull present, of which 
they would deprive them, as for the dazzling and all- 
compensating future they would filch from them : for I 
believe in the future ; I believe in the justice of nature ; 
I believe in all beautiful, grand, and charming things. 

Nicholas. — Then you are a romantic, and not a 

nihilist. 

Ivan, who has listened to Olga's tirade, advancing. — And 
I believe in the present and the work it brings to us — 
the duty it dictates ; and so, Vassili Petrovich, and 
you, Nicholas Dimitrovich, you may both render us an 
important service by going down the first flight of 
stairs and waiting at the landing to see that no one 
mounts up here to disturb us. 



L o 



Vassili. — And why should I not be present at your 
conference? What projects can you share with Olga 
and her brother that you would conceal from me ? 



ACT 1. 13 

Nicholas. — Come Vassili Petrovich, I am sure I am 
eager to perform a first service, come. 

Vassili, to Olga. — Promise me that you will not engage 
yourself to anything imprudent, that you will not let 
Ivan influence you against me, 

Olga. — That I cannot promise, Vassili Petrovich, for 
how can we think of prudence, when it may be a ques- 
tion of duty. But I shall not be easily influenced against 
you, for I have a very indulgent, and kindly feeling for 
you Vassili. 

Vassili. — Oh ! you are cruel, and you expect me to go 
down there ignorant of what may be done, or said here, 
even if it should wreck all my hopes of happiness, and 
ruin my life. 

Serge. — And are you not willing to render your 
friends this slight service ? 

Ivan, catching Vassili by the arm, and drawing him aside. 
— And do you not see that we suspect that man, that 
our safety, our lives, our whole cause may depend upon 
his being kept away for the next few minutes. Go 
down there with him, and do not lose sight of him for a 
second. 

Vassili. — And you will promise not to injure me with 
Olga Ivanovna. 

Ivan. — Silence, no more of this nonsense, I will not 
endure it. Go ! 

{Pushes forward Vassili, who advances sullenly.) 

Nicholas, catching Vassili by the arm, and drawing him 
towards the door. — Come ! come ! if it is a service to be 
rendered, let it be done quickly. {Exeunt Nicholas and 
Vassili sullenly, glancing back hesitatingly at Olga.) 



14 DRACHKOV. 

SCENE III. 

SERGE, OLGA and IVAN. 

Ivan. — Olga Ivanovna I have a mission to propose to 
you, a work full of difficulty and danger, which will suit 
your high and generous spirit. 

Olga. — Difficulty! Danger! Oh! tell me of it, if it 
can but serve the poor creatures for whom we work. 

Serge. — But you told me she would be safe — you 
answer for her escape. 

Ivan. — And I still thiuk I can assure it, but I would 
not insult Olga Ivanovna by urging such a mitigation. 

Olga. — Ah ! do not speak of. danger, if you only knew 
what a joy, what a happiness it is to me, to at last do 
something for those whom I pity so deeply, so intensely. 

Ivan. — There is no time to be lost, for that man who 
has just left the room is Drachkov's spy, I know it. If 
we do not act quickly, we are lost. 

Olga. — Ah! do you believe it, but if you really think 
it, why did you not tell him so frankly, why did you not 
charge him with his guilt. 

Ivan. — And shall we waste on the minion balls which 
should be reserved for the master ; besides if we were 
to kill him here, his death might lead to our discovery. 

Olga. —Kill him ! 

Serge. — I can scarcely believe in his treason, he talked 
so of the miseries and sufferings of the people, and then 
he was always so simple and sincere at cards. 

Ivan. — He undoubtedly always lost, that was policy, 
and a few sentimental phrases cost little in any mouth 



ACT I. 15 

Then Drachkov is no common adversary. He does not 
work with common tools, his spies are ho common 
spies. But I repeat it to you, if we do not act, and act 
to-morrow early, all is lost, all we have organized, all 
we have aimed at, will be destroyed in a day, and in 
one week, we, their last defenders, will be on our way 
to Siberia, there to fret out our lives in dull inactivity 
and unsatisfied longings. 

Serge. — To Siberia for life ! My God ! what a horrible 
fate. 

Olga. — And I can save you all, save our holy cause. 
Ah! tell me, tell me quickly. Do not speak of difficulty 
or danger. Nothing you can think of, nothing you can 
imagine will repulse or affright me. 

Ivan. — Then listen, listen attentively, Olga Ivanovna. 
You are intelligent and devoted, but you are a woman, 
a creature whose nerves thrill with fright at the sight 
of pain or peril. You would do many things for the 
freedom and future of Russia, but could you kill a man 
to serve them, aim at him without flinching, shoot him 
without hesitation, see him roll dead at your feet with- 
out uttering a cry of fright, a moan of pity. Could you 
do that, Olga Ivanovna, could you do that, if the man's 
name were Dimitri Michaelovich Drachkov, and his 
death would give liberty and happiness to the thousands 
who groan under his yoke. 

Olga. — Anything, anything ! even that if it be to serve 
the weak and the unfortunate, and if it be hard, if it be 
cruel, my life will answer for the life I have taken. 

Serge. — Ah ! but you will be safe. ]van has assured 
me of it ; has pledged himself to rescue you, without 
that I should never have consented. 



16 DRACHKOV. 

Ivan. — I will do all I can, all I possibly can. I pledge 
you my solemn word. 

Olga. — Ah! do not say that. If I have any hesitation, 
any tremor of fright, any impulse of pity, the thought 
that I give my own life willingly, cheerfully effaces it. 
Do not attempt to rescue me, Ivan, you would but 
wrong me if you did. 

Serge. — Ah ! do not say that, Olga, if I thought there 
was real danger for you, I would never consent. 

Ivan. — But if anything is to be done, it must be done 
quickly, before this Nicholas Dimitrovich has time to 
warn his master. It must be done early to-morrow 
morning. 

Olga. — Whenever you wish. (Aside.) Oh ! if I were 
to hesitate, if at the last moment I were to fail. But no, 
I will not be so weak, so unworthy. (Aloud,) But how 
am I to meet the General Governor ? 

Ivan. — I can see but one way, present yourself at the 
palace early to-morrow morning with a petition, saying 
that you come in the name of the mother of the little 
boy, kicked by the Governor's horses on Christmas day, 
that the child has been injured, that you were a witness 
of the accident, and sustained the unhappy mother in 
her grief, and prevented her risking her own life in her 
excitment. (Aside.) I think that will unlock the palace 
gates, or I know nothing of men of Drachkov's stamp. 
(Aloud.) Then I will add more phrases, praying for 
compensation for the child's injuries, with all the ful- 
some obsequiousness customary in such documents. 
But to work instantly, what weapons have you, 
Serge ? 

Olga, aside. — Weapons. 



ACT 1. 17 

Serge. — Only an old army revolver, but it is in ex- 
cellent condition. 

Ivan. — A revolver in the hand of a woman, never. If 
we give a woman a difficult and dangerous work to do, 
it must be quick and short, if she has six balls to fire, 
the first will be shot carelessly, the other five wildly, 
and the end will be noise and smoke. 

Olga. — And have you such a contempt for women, 
Ivan Vassilievich, that you think them incapable of any 
serious or noble work ? 

Ivan. — On the contrary, I think it is only a woman as 
accomplished and — and as intelligent as you are who 
would be capable of trapping a man like Drachkov. 
But what we must procure is a little portable pistol 
carryirig one heavy ball, it will make your work so much 
easier, and the results so much surer. Come, Serge, 
there is no time to lose. 

Serge. — Ah! Olga, if I thought there was danger, you 
do not believe I would consent. 

Olga. — Do not worry on account of me ; I am not 
afraid. 

Ivan. — Come, Serge, come ! or I must go without jou. 

(Exeunt Serge and Ivan d. If.) 



SCENE IV. 

Olga. — To kill a man, and Ivan described it so 
horribly. But what right have I to be so selfish, what 
right have I to think of my miserable fears, my still 
more miserable pity. And he, that Drachkov, why 



18 DRAGHKOV. 

should I feel compassion for him, he so hard and so 
merciless, but they say he is brave and frank in his 
wickedness, and he will receive my petition haughtily, 
insolently perhaps, but not deceitfully, while I — . Oh ! it 
is a horrible thing to assassinate, to assassinate a brave 
man, who ever he be. If it could only be done in some 
other way, some open and courageous way. But, why 
should I complain, my short life has been useless, weary 
and sad, with nothing to brighten and glorify it but my 
dreams, my wonderful and noble dreams where all 
wrongs are righted, and all ugliness turned to beauty. 
And now when I give my poor life for their realization, I 
should be privileged, happy among all, only, only.... 
{Enter Vassilid. l.f. throwing door violently open,) 



SCENE .V. 

VASSILI and OLGA. 

Vassilt. — Ah ! there is some mystery. You need not 
deny it, Olga Ivanovna ; some project in which they 
wish to engage you, and which they think necessary to 
conceal from me. 

Olga, haughtily. —And why should t\iey think it neces- 
sary to conceal projects in which I am engaged from 
you, Vassili Petrovich. What right have I ever given 
you to interfere with my conduct, whatever it may be. 

Vassili. — None, alas ! none. You have always treated 
me with a cold, and heartless haughtiness. 

Olga. — Now, Vassili, I think you are unjust, for I 
have always tried to treat you gently, and kindly. But 
why do you always persist in speaking to me of love, 



ACT 1. 19 

and marriage. I have told you such things do not, and 
cannot exist for me. 

Vassili. — And do you expect that men's eyes will be 
forever blind, their imaginations forever cold to your 
grace, and beauty ? No, an honest love may not exist 
for you, but do you think I am an imbecile, that I can- 
not derive what was that secret conference concealed 
from me? All those inquiries about Drachkov's 
character had a purpose, and that purpose is, failing to 
conquer the despot, to bend him to our will through 
the omnipotent influence of a beautiful woman, and 
that woman will be you, Olga Ivanovna. 

Olga. — How dare you insult me, Vassili Petrovich? 
"When I meet General Drachkov to-morrow, it will be for 
the first, and last time. For I will kill him, and the 
authorities will avenge him. 

Vassili. —You will kill him, and the authorities will 
avenge him, avenge him on you, and you have no thought 

of me, of one who (a slight rattling at the back of the 

door. ) 

Olga. — There is some one outside the door, I heard 
the lock rattle. 

{Olga, and Vassili hasten towards the door, and throiv it 
open, Nicholas standing on the opposite side of the corridor* 
facing the door, looks at them calmly. ) 

Vassili. — What do you mean, by standing in front of 
the door like that, listening. 

Nicholas. — Be calm, young man, I but followed your 
example. Did you not leave the post at which we had 
been placed more than a quarter of an hour ago ? 



20 DRACHKOV. 

Vassili. — But I came here drawn by legitimate inter- 
ests, by legitimate ejections, while you came to play the 
spy, to listen behind that door to every word spoken 
here. 

Nicholas. — And I have heard them all, Yassili Petro" 
vich, and I share your opinion, that assasination is no 
work for a beautiful, young woman, and now, do you 
wish to follow me, for I am going. 

Vassili. — I leave Olga Ivanovna now. Never ! 

Nicholas . — Then farewell . 

{exit Nicholas.) 



SCENE VI. 

OLGA and VASSILI. 

Olga. — Why do you not follow him? What if he 
should really be a traitor ! What if he should really be- 
tray all our secrets ! 

Vassili. — And what do I care in comparison to the 
horror of loosing you, and by such a fate 

Olga. — And now you are really crazy, Vassili, or you 
would not compare a poor creature like me to the safety 
of a cause on which the happiness of millions of human 
beings may depend. 

Vassili. — And what is the happiness of millions of hu- 
man beings whom I may never know, in comparison 
with you whom I adore, to win whose love, and admira- 
tion, I would attempt, I would dare all things. 



ACT 1. 21 



Olga. — Do not attempt any impossible tasks, Vassili, 
but perform simple duties, unless you would win, not 
my admiration, but my contempt. Enter Serge, and 
Ivan. d. l.f. 



SCENE VII. 

OLGA, VASSILI, SERGE, and IVAN. 

Ivan. — And why do I find you here Vassili, is Nicholas 
Dimitrovich gone ? 

Vassili. — Yes, lie is gone, but do you think I am going 
to permit you to send Olga on this infamous mission ? 

Olga.— There is but one man living who has a right to 
interfere with my conduct, it is my brother ; but even 
his objections would not move me, though his prayers 
might melt my heart. 

Ivan. — And he has consented, is it not so Serge ? 

Serge — Yes, I have consented, since you promise me 
you will answer for Olga's life. 

Vassili. — And I, I will never consent ; there is nothing 
I will not sacrifice, rather than that this abominable 
project should be executed. 

Ivan. — You would even betray our cause, condemn it 
to certain ruin, rather than sacrifice your egotistical 
passion. 

Serge. — You would have us all sent to Siberia, in 
order to gratify a ridiculous whim, for which you can 
give no rational reason. 



22 DRACHKOV. 

Olga. — And I tell you, Vassili Petrovich, if you 
thwart this attempt, for which I give roy life, I will eter- 
nally despise you, and now Ivan, give me the pistol, I 
hesitate no longer. 

Ivan hands Olga the pistol. 

(Curtain.) 



ACT. II. 
DRACHKOV. 



Room in the Palace of the General Governor. Large table 
covered with green leather center; windows in the background, 
with heavy green curtains ; stiff high-backed leather chairs ; large 
porcelaine stove right, long bookcase left, surmounted by a bust 
of the Emperor. Panoplies of arms on the walls. Icon, or 
holy image, suspmded on the wall, between the windows, with 
small lamp burning below it. Doors r. and 1. near the back- 
ground . 

Matvei, {arranging furniture in an awkward and slovenly 
manner, picking up objects, blowing on them, then wiping 
them with the back of his sleeve, although he holds a feather 
duster in his hand.) 

There now, no complaints can be made this morning 
for everything is as bright, and burnished as a church 
altar. I don't know how people can live in a place 
where there's not a bit of dust or dirt to make one feel 
comfortable, and at home. And I who thought when I 
left my Izba fifteen years ago, that my fortune was 
made. As if anyone could turn an honest kopeck in a 
house kept in such order as this. To be sure I get good 
wages, but there's nothing unexpected in that, no little 
surprises. And I w T ith my education, and all the lessons 
I got from my uncle, the village pope ; if it wasn't for 
the State dinners every month and that nice young 
Prince Strakovski, I do believe I would never scrape in 



%. 



21 DRACHKOV. 

an extra rouble. But lie's mighty liberal, always buying 
piles of books, and newspapers, in French, and German, 
and other outlandish jargons, not a word of which I be- 
lieve he reads, for I light the fire in the stove with them 
every morning. 

{Enter Strakovski, d. r. 



SCENE I. 
STBAKOVSKI and MATVEI. 

Strakovski. — Well, Matvei, has the governor come in 
yet? 

Matvei. — No, excellency, and as he is gone to the bar- 
racks, he won't be in for a good half hour yet, for he 
always finds something to do down there. 

Strakovski. — Very well then you will have time to run 

down to the bookstore on the Vladimir Perspectiv. 

^/ There's twenty roubles, and I want you to get me the 

^^ Figaro, the Kktfrt erdeutch, and the Gil Bias, and also 

the Revue des Deux Mondes, and the Revue Scienti- 

fique. 

Matvei. — Very well, excellency. 

Strakovski. — And look here, Matvei, the English 
Punch, if they have it. 

Matvei. — Very well, excellency, {looking at note.) But 
will those twenty roubles buy them all ? 

Strakovski. — Nonsense, Matvei, and leave lots o 
change besides, all of which you may keep for yourself, 
if you are quick. {Matvei starts for door, this time very 



ACT II. 25 

quickly.) But, look here, ask for Schift'hausen's Science 
of Embryos, and Picot's Psychology of the Will, and be 
sure you get them, for I am going to a card party to- 
night, where there will be ladies, and so must cram up 
on those subjects. 

Matvet, reluctantly, Schiffhausen's Embryonic Science, 
and Picot's Willing Psychology ; but will the twenty 
roubles buy them too, excellency ? 

Strakovski. — Goodness, yes, and leave you a good ten 
roubles besides, and then, hold, get me Gyp's latest 
too. 

Matvei, coaxingly. But, little father, won't the Schiff- 
hausen, and the Picot, and the papers cost more than 
ten roubles, and you promised me all that was left 
before. 

Strakovski, searching in his pockets, and handing Matvei 
a coin. There's two roubles more, and that's the last 
kopeck I have about me, and so be off scamp, and make 
haste too. 

Matvei. — Your servant, excellency, (aside.) But I am 

sure the Psychologies, and the Embryos, will cost more 

than two roubles. 

(exit Matvei.) 



SCENE III. 

Strakovski, (seated at table in arm chair, taking up papers, 
looking at them, and then tossing them aside.) What a dull 
place, no society but stiff-necked government officials, 
rheumatic, old generals, each, and all of whom considers 
himself the greatest military genius of the age, and 



26 DRACHKOV. 

thinks the world is going to perdition, because he hasn't 
been j:>roperly appreciated ; and then the literary dowa- 
ger countesses with dyed hair, who haven't enough in- 
come to live in St. Petersburg, and wreak their vexation 
on a poor fellow down here, by expecting him to carry a 
walking library in his head, and talking him to death, 
with Hegel, and Schopenhauer, and Pessimisum, and 
Pantheism, and Protoplasm, and every other kind of 
ism and asm that can enter their merciless old heads. 
And then for amusements, we have opera for six weeks 
in the winter, with a scratch company, and not a ballet 
dancer under fifty, and every one of them looking their 
full age, in spite of two inches of paint on their faded 
old faces. And then whist at the club all night long for 
a rouble a rubber, with a cross partner who won't let 
you say a word, and scolds your head off if you make a 
misplay. What a life for an active, and enterprising 
young man, {yawning.) And up at six o'clock in the 
morning too in midwinter. As to General Drachkov, I 
believe he really meant it as a kindness to his old 
friend's son, when he got me this appointment down 
here, for he positively enjoys it. Work, and power, 
that is his element. So many conspiracies to root out, 
so many details to watch over, so many soldiers to dis- 
cipline, and then war to talk about from morning till 
night, and we near enough to the frontier for the air to 
have a sniff of powder in it. Ah ! war that for example 
would be what I should like ! a glorious excitement, 
something worth living or worth dying for ; and then it 
would rescue a poor fellow from this accursed place^ 
even if it sent him with a short passport to another, 
which at the worst must be a deuced deal livelier. 

{Enter Matveid. r. with a package of papers in his hand.) 



<fc 



ACT II. 27 

SCENE rv r . 

Strakovski. — Ha! Matvei, and are you back already? 
Well, you are quick. 

Matvei. — Yes, excellency, and here are the papers and 
reviews, but I couldn't get the books, for the Countess 
Dombrowska sent a messenger this morning who swept 
away all the Embryos and the Psychologies for the 
ladies' afternoon tea, while old General Rinski has car- 
ried off all the Gyps and Gil Bias for the gentleman's 
literary club, which meets to-night. 

Strakovski. — Very well, Matvei, you may go. (Exit 
Matrei. ) 



SCENE V. 

Strakovski. What a country we live in, where the 
women study Psychology and Science, while the men 
nourish their brains on Gyp and Gil Bias (looking over 
newspapers). Figaro, \Klattordcutct rand Punch ; Punch, 
Klatterdeuich and Figaro. Can anything be more tire- 
^^ some than an old established comic paper ; it exhausts 
4>^all its good jokes in the first week of publication, and 
lives on its reputation ever afterwards. 

Enter Matvei, d. r. 



SCENE VI. 

MATVEI AND STRAKOVSKI. 

Strakovski (looking np). — Well, Matvei, what is it 
now ? 



28 DRACHKOV. 

Matvei. — There's a wild-looking man out in the court- 
yard wants to see the Governor. He refuses to give 
his name, but won't take no for an answer. The guard 
think he's crazy, and talks of locking him up, but he 
seems so much in earnest I thought I'd come and tell 
you. 

Strakovski. — What kind of a looking man is he ? 

Matvei. — He looks like a student, but in spite of his 
coat collar pulled up around the neck, and his hat 
slouched over his face,, he seems quite a gentleman. 

Strakovski. — Some begging petitioner who tries to 
conceal his identity through shame, I suppose. Well, 
show him in. 

(Exit Matvei.) 



SCENE VII. 

Strakovski. — If he is really in want, I'll try and do 
something for him. If one can't find any other occupa- 
tion, maybe a good action would fill up the time better 
than these dull old papers. 

{Enter Matvei, holding open the door, while Vassili passes in 
before him . ) 



SCENE VIII. 

VASSILI AND STRAKOVSKI. 

Strakovski, aside. — He does look pretty down-hearted 
and tolerably crazy, too (pointing to a chair, r. c.) Sit 
down there, and if you have important business with 
the General Governor, you may tell it freely to me, for 
I am his aide de camp, and anything you may commu- 
nicate to me will reach his ear quickly. 



ACT 11. 29 

Vassili, ivildly. — Important business, a matter of life 
and death, quickly, there is not a minute to be lost. 

Strakovski, — A matter of life and death, that is what 
all the petitioners say. 

Vassili. — A petition, who speaks of petitions ; it is no 
petition, it is a warning that I bring you freely, willing- 
ly, but on one condition, it is that you will ensure my 
safe exit from the palace, and that you will promise me 
that the — the safety of the other person involved will 
be guaranteed. 

Strakovski. — Whew ! a first-class conspiracy, just as 
in the melodramas or the French detective novels, and 
I am the person to whom it is to be confided (rubbing 
his hands). Vladimir, my boy, here is some real excite- 
ment. Well ! what is it, this dark and dismal mystery, 
which is only to be revealed on such strict conditions. 

Vassili. — But first you must pledge me your word of 
honor to accept my conditions, to permit me to leave 
the palace safely, to order no one to follow me, and, — 
and pledge me your word to let the young lady go 
freely, undetained and unharmed. 

Strakovski. — And is there a young lady involved ? 
Oh ! I will pledge anything to serve a young lady. But, 
quick, tell me the mystery, I am dying to hear it. 

Vassili. — You give me your sacred word that you will 
fulfill my conditions. 

Strakovski. — My sacred and solemn word, and now 
what is it ? 

Vassili. — A young lady will come to the palace this 
morning, a beautiful and distinguished young lady, 
tall, with blond hair and black eyes. She will be 



30 DRACHKOV. 

here now soon, very soon, maybe in a few minutes, and 
she will ask to see the General Governor. Do not let 
her be admitted on any condition, on any whatever, but 
send her away instantly, unharmed, unmolested, unfol- 
lowed, you have pledged your word to it. 

Strakovski, laughing. — Ah! I see through it all now ; 
why did I not suspect it from the very beginning, wild 
and excited as you are. I will tell you your whole mys- 
tery. It is a case of jealousy. (Vassili staiis.) You are 
a jealous husband, the beautiful lady is your wife, and 
you want me to protect your domestic fireside from the 
aggressive gallantries of the General Governor, and 
maybe, forgive me, from the tender partiality of the 
fragile, fair one. Ha! ha! ha! who would have ever 
thought our grim chief was so gay ? 

Vassili, springing to his feet, angrily. — It is no question 
of gallantry, nor ever shall be ; do you hear me? No ! 
it is not of love that you, or anyone here should dare to 
think, but of assassination. 

Strakovski. — Assassination ! assassination on the per- 
son of my chief. Quickly ! Tell me the rest quickly. 
I accept all your conditions 

Vassili. — There is nothing more to tell. That young- 
lady is the intended assassin. A helpless instrument in 
the hands of designing men. She is not guilty, it is 
they alone whose domineering influence has been fatal. 

Strakovski. — And they ; can you give me any clue to 
them, and she, the girl, if questioned, would she not — 

Vassili. — You have pledged me your word to ask no 
questions. You have assured me she would be turned 
away, but not followed. 



ACT II. 31 

Strakovski. — You are right, a word once given cannot 
be taken back (ringing hand bell on table). 

(Enter Matvei.) 

Strakovski. — Matvei conduct this gentleman to the 
street and see that no one follows him 

( Vassili and Strakovski salute, then exit Vasilli followed by 
Matvei.) 



SCENE X. 

Strakovski. — To assassinate Drachkov, what a mean 
and cowardly action, and a woman, too. I will give 
orders instantly that the young vixen be not admitted 
but not followed, either. 

Enter Drachkov, d. r. 

SCENE X. 

DRACHKOV AND STRAKOVSKI 

Drachkov, — Who was that wild-looking young man 
Matvei was conducting down the staircase ? What was 
he doing up here ? 

( Throwing his military overcoat and cap on chair, seats him- 
self in arm chair behind table facing the audience, Stra- 
kovski standing, r. c.) 

Strakovski. — Oh ! he came to give information, most 
important information. 

Drachkov, who has been sorting documents on table, look- 
ing up. — Imformation, and what was it about, Vladimir ? 

Strakovski. — A plot against your life, a plot to assas- 
sinate you, my general. 



32 DRACHKOV. 

Drachkov. — Oh ! bah ! if we took all the plots we hear 
of seriously, we would have small time for anything else. 

Strakovski. — Oh ! but this was a real and undoubted 
plot, a genuine attempt at assassination, for he told me 
that the young woman who was to do the deed would 
be here this morning, in a few minutes perhaps. 

Drachkov. — A young woman ! 

Strakovski — Yes, a beautiful young girl, he said, and 
begged me so earnestly to have her sent from the pal- 
ace, to prevent her reaching your presence, and con- 
ducted himself so wildly, so excitedly, that I, half in 
joke, taunted him with being some husband, jealous 
perhaps of attentions you might have paid his wife. 

Drachkov. — You should not degrade your functions 
by such unseemly jokes, Vladimir Alexievich. Well, 
what happened then ? 

Strakovski. — Then he leaped to his feet and cried, 
with such a thrilling sincerity, " It is not jealousy, it is 
assassination ; this young girl is not to blame, she is 
but the instrument, the dupe of daring and domineering 
spirits, she is not the guilty one." 

Drachkov. — The dupe of daring and domineering 
spirits. Of course you had him followed, to discover 
his haunts and associates, to find the key to this mys- 
tery, to ascertain if it be not all the contemptible joke 
of some malicious mind. 

Strakovski. — Joke, it is no joke, my general ; I know, 
I feel it is all true. Besides, I could not have the young 
man followed, for it was the condition of his revelations 
that he should be permitted to go free, and I promised 
him that no attempt should be made to follow him. 



ACT II 33 

Drachkov. — You should not make promises you may 
not be able to keep, or that it would discredit my 
authority to break. But he must have described the 
young girl in order that you might distinguish her. 

Strakovski. — Yes, he said tall and blonde, beautiful 
and distinguished, with flashing dark eyes, 

Drachkov. — Tall and blonde, w T ith dark eyes. (Aside.) 
If it should be she. (Aloud.) When she comes, on no 
account let her be sent away, but give orders to admit 
her to my presence instantly. 

Strakovskt, — Admit her to your presence! But may 
I not take some precautions, place some guards behind 
the curtains. 

Drachkov, — Precautions against a young girl, and to 
defend me — bah ! 

Strakovski. — But while there is still time, inay I not 
make some arrangements ? It would do no harm in any 
case. If it were my own danger, I would not plead so 
strongly. 

Drachkov. — I know that, Vladimir, and I appreciate 
it ; but none the less your anxiety is very absurd. 

Strakovski. — But then you might be entirely off your 
guard. They say she is very beautiful, and these con- 
spiring sirens are all so dangerous. 

Drachkov, severely. — Obey my orders, Prince Strakov- 
ski ; and when Remisov comes in send him up instantly. 

Strakovski, aside. — There's no timidity about him 
anyway, our chief, but he is grim, grim as the very devil. 

(Exit Strakovski. ) 



34 DRACHKOV. 



SCENE XL 



Drachkov. — If it should be she. No ! that would be too 
cruel. Blonde, with a proud air, and flashing dark eyes. 
Yes, how they flashed on me full of pride and indigna- 
tion, but how they melted with a gentle pity, a compas- 
sionate tenderness when they fell on that happy little 
brat whose harmless bruises had won him such witching 
glances. And I, all the week past, I have not been able 
to expel the adorable vision from my mind. Shame on 
you, Dimitri, such follies at your age. To work ! To 
work. (Taking up sealed letter and opening it.) Hum! the 
Envoy of the Minister of the Interior, Baron Rapskine, 
will be in Kiev in two weeks' time on a voyage of Inspec- 
tion The sooner the better, for I have some counsel to 
give him. He will see my system works the best ; for 
all the ferments of disorder make but bubbles here. 

Enter Remirov (d. r.) 



SCENE XII. 

DRACHKOV AND REMIROV. 

Drachkov. — Ah! Remirov, is that you; well, what 
news is there? 

Remirov. — I could not make all my usual rounds, 
excellency, drawn away as I was by an important affair, 
but I think the seeds I have planted under your able 
direction are beginning to fructify, and wheresoever I 
have found a patriotic and rational chord, I have made 
it vibrate, suiting my conversation to my hearers as best 
I could. 



ACT 11. 35 

Draohkov. — I believe it, Remirov, you are no ordinary 
police agent, you are a patriot. 

Remirov. — I was born in a part of Russia where all 
the nobility are foreigners, and I think what I suffered 
from their harshness and contempt has made me clear- 
sighted. But, excellency, I have most important news ; 
there is a plot to assassinate you. 

Drachkov. — A plot to assassinate me, hum ! Have 
you learnt anything else ? 

Remirov. — But what more could I learn ! Threaten 
your life, so valuable, so indispensable. 

Drachkov. — To threaten is not to take. But was 
there no other scheme spoken of, absolutely no other ? 

Remirov. — Absolutely no other, exceptisg to question 
me closely about your excellency. Strogonov, in par- 
ticular, seemed most anxious to — How shall I say it. 

Drachkov. — Strogonov. Yes, a shrewd, enterprising- 
fellow, most valuable to keep at large as an indicating- 
clue. Well! what did he seem so anxious to learn? 

Remirov. — It was at the Nihilist Club, back of the 
cathedral. Your excellency will pardon me, but he 
asked me if you had been wild in your youth. 

Drachkov. — What interest could that have for him, 
but go on. 

Remirov. — I answered him that your youth had been 
a very short, but I must ask your excellency's pardon 
again, a very tempestuous one. 

Drachkov. — Well, what did he answer? 

Remirov. — Oh ! it seems too silly to repeat. 



36 DRACHKOV. 

Drachkov. — Nothing is too silly to repeat when it 
may be of use. 

Remirov.— Then, he asked me if those tempests had 
wafted you to the gaming table or the boudoir. 

Drachkov. — Well, what did you answer ? 

Remirov. — It seems so foolish and impertinent, but I 
wanted to see what he was leading up to, and so I 
answered — 

Drachkov, coolly. — To the boudoir. 

Remirov. — Yes, excellency, and then he showed a 
strange glee and excitement, as if he had just heard 
something he wanted to hear, and that pleased him very 
much. 

Drachkov. — That is strange. I don't quite under- 
stand it yet ; but when is this attempted assassination 
to take place ? 

'Remirov. — Some time to-day, but the exact hoar I 
could not ascertain, your excellency. 

Drachkov. — And yet that w T as the only important 
thing to learn. I cannot spend my whole day guarding 
against imaginary assassins. 

Remirov. — Ah ! but this will be such a strange kind 
of assassin that she will be easy to recognize. It is the 
same beautiful young girl who roused 3'our excellency's 
penetrating suspicions on Christmas day, and about 
whom you bade me keep you informed. She was at the 
meeting of the club, and seemed madly roused against 
your excellency ; even said — 

Drachkov. — That is well, Remirov, you may go. 

{Exit Remirov, d. r.) 



ACT U. 37 

SCENE XIII. 

Drachkov. — And she, that lovely, delicate creature, 
with the tender eyes, whose gentle hand would not hurt 
the meanest thing that crawls would yet kill me — me, 
while I, my God ! have I been mad enough to love her. 

(Enter Strakovski ushering in Olga.) 



SCENE XIV. 

DRACHKOV, STRAKOVSKI AND OLGA. 

Strakovski. — This young lady brings a petition which 
she says should secure her admission to the Governor's 
presence. {Aside to Drachkov.) My general, I implore 
you to let me remain. 

Drachkov. — Go, Vladimir, my child, I desire it, and 
you, Madame, be seated. 

(Exit Strakovski, reluctantly, d. r.) 

SCENE XV. 

DRACHKOV AND OLGA. 

(Olga still remains standing r. c. Drachkov standing, facing 
her, towards the center.) 

Drachkov. — Olga Ivanovna, be seated. 

Olga, aside. — Olga Ivanovna ; how does he know my 
name ? 

Drachkov. — Whatever be the conclusion of our inter- 
view, I have some things to say to you before it is 
ended. I am not ignorant what termination you mean 



38 DRACHKOV. 

to give to it, but I would consider a life lost in convert- 
ing one noble, young soul from insanity to justice not 
wholly wasted. 

Olga. — And you, how can you speak to me of justice, 
General Drachkov, you who trample on every generous, 
and noble aspiration, for whom human dignity and 
human happiness are but idle words, But why do you 
call me by my name ; how do you know what brings me 
here ? 

Drachkov. —I know all about you, Olga Ivanovna. 
You were born nineteen years ago on a small estate in 
the Government of Volhynia ; your mother died when 
you were five years old ; you were educated by an 
intelligent, gentle and visionary father, and when he 
died, two } r ears ago, your brother brought you to Kiev, 
where, with some little wealth and total ignorance of 
the world, he, vain, shallow and selfish, you, noble, 
romantic and devoted, became the prey of a swarm of 
dreamers and adventurers. He, they valued lightly ; 
but you they rightly estimated as of a rare worth, and 
of you they have made their instrument and their vic- 
tim. 

Olga. — Their instrument — that I may fail to be ; but 
their victim — I am ready and willing. 

Drachkov. — And do you know what is their plan, their 
infamous plan ? They saw you, young, beautiful, inno- 
cent. Ah! it was on that innocence they counted, for 
it was to hide from you ignominies, you could not even 
divine. As to me, do you know why they made those 
inquiries about me, about my character ? It was to 
assure themselves that I would be vile enough to play 
the part they had prepared for me. Do you know why 
you are here, Olga Ivanovna ? 



ACT 11. 39 

Olga. — I am here to avenge the unfortunate and 
helpless creatures whom you have humbled. 

Drachkov. — No, Olga Ivanovna, you are here for a 
greater shame than theirs. You are here to receive the 
kisses of Dimitri Drachkov, while you stab him to the 
heart. 

Olga. — And you, you dare to say such things to me. 
You, the all-powerful Governor of Kiev, you are not 
ashamed to insult me. 

Drachkov. — Ashamed ! ashamed of anything when 
such things can be. Dare, I will dare much more. I 
will tell you how truly they have calculated. (Advances 
towards Olga.) 

Olga, dimes pistol. — If you come one step nearer I 
will fire, and God have pity on me, for it is a terrible 
thing to do. 

Olga r. c. Drachkov c. but nearer the background, facing 
her. 

Drachkov. — Yes, Olga Ivanovna, it is a terrible thing, 
and a sad and heartrending thing, for I love you, do 
you hear me? 1 love you with all the intensity, aye, 
and all the poetry that only a heart not bound up in 
little things can feel, fori, too, Olga Ivanovna, have an 
unselfish soul ; I, too, have a heart for human woes ; 
but I love ray country, and I believe in my race ; I know 
how greedy and envious rivals gloat over every element 
of disorder that seethes within her. I know that 
she alone can destroy herself, but I know how quickly 
the jackals w T ould leap on her corpse. To preserve her 
national independence and her future, I would joyfully 
sacrifice my life, aye, and that of every other man that 
stood in her way. And now fire, for I love you, Olga, 



40 DRACHKOV. 

I love you with my whole soul. Why do you hesitate ? 
Fire ! — and see how a soldier of the Tsar can die. 

During the preceding speech^ Drachkov advances nearer and 
nearer to Olga, till at the close, the muzzle of the pistol 
almost touches his breast. Olga drops the pistol, covers 
her face with her hands convulsively, turns and flees 
towards arm chair in which she sinks weeping hysteric- 
ally. 

Olga. — I cannot do it. My God ! I cannot do it. 

Drachkov. — Do not be afraid. I shall not approach 
you. No one will disturb you. 

Olga rises slowly, walks towards the door, looking bach at 
Drachkov, who still stands center. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 



SCENE I. 



The home of Olga Ivanovna. Inexpensive, but pretty furni- 
ture; books and pamphlets on table r. c., and porcelaine stove, 
1. c ; engravings on the walls, windows in the background, with 
chintz curtains. Doors, second gr. r. and 1. Large folding 
screen, near door on the right. Piano, easel, with box of water 
color paints on chair or stand near it ; vases with flowers and 
other signs of dainty care. Olga seated in front of easel c. paint- 
ing bouquet of flowers in vase. 



Olga. — It seems to me as if I could do no serious 
work, as if all the springs of my mind were broken ; as if 
I could scarcely think or even feel ; as if I had been born 
again, and had not yet begun to exist. That cruel day 
two weeks ago, how I have suffered since then, how 
many things have changed to me. All the past seems 
blotted out, all but that terrible five minutes when that 
man, whom I have been taught to hate, talked with such 
a wild and noble eloquence, and mastered me with his 
proud will. He said he loved me ; that I do not, I can- 
not believe, but one thing I know, I can never hate him 

more. 

Enter Serge, d. r. 



42 DRACHKOV. 

SCENE II. 
SEKGE AND OLGA. 

Serge comes forward and seats himself near Olga. 

Serge. — You seem to be able to interest yourself in 
nothing else but painting and dreaming. Do you think 

that life is so easy to me that you can do nothing to aid 
me. 

Olga. — Life hard to you, Serge, and yet you always 
seem so easily amused. But tell me your troubles, if 
you only knew how glad I would be to serve you. 

Serge. — Oh ! they are not troubles a woman can help 
(confuted). That is, she can help them, but without 
knowing them. Money troubles, there ! 

Olga. — Money troubles ! Why, I thought we were 
rich, that is, above want, for that is all poverty or 
wealth could mean to me. But you know when the 
estate was sold, I had a fourteenth part ; you can always 
dispose of that. 

Serge, blankly. — Dispose of it. 

Olga. — Yes, freely ; have you not charge of it? And 
if any signature of mine is required — 

Serge. — Signature ! 

Olga. — Only let me know, and I will be so happy to 
give it, so pleased to do anything for you. We are all 
alone in the world ; we ought to try and be happy 
together, Serge. 

Serge. — Happy ! you never used to talk about being 
happy ; only of serving humanity and dying for it, and 
such grand things. You have been so changed since 



ACT 111. 43 

that day you went to the palace (looking around him, and 
then drawing his chair up to Olga's, in a whisper), that day 
when you went to shoot Drachkov and didn't. Now, 
tell me the truth, what really occurred ? 

Olga. — What I told you, Serge. It was a cruel, a 
wicked, an unnatural thing. I felt that, I saw that, and 
— and I went away. 

Serge. — But you saw Drachkov, you were alone with 
him. Strogonov had promised to aid your escape ; I 
cannot understand how you missed such an opportu- 
nity. What kind of a man is he, that Drachkov, any- 
way? 

Olga. — A very brave man, Serge ; there is no braver 
man living. 

Serge — But, tell me the truth, is that jealous Vassili 
right ; did he try to make love to you? 

Olga. — Vassili Petrovich has a low and base mind, 
and I despise him. 

Serge. — And yet you might do well to conciliate him, 
for he knows how to be a very good friend, if he is 
spiteful sometimes. 

Olga. — I do not understand the art of conciliation ; 
as a stranger, I would despise him ; when he attempts 
to be a lover, I loathe him. 

Serge. — But you spoke about serving me, making sac- 
rifices for me, all idle talk ; like your other heroic 
projects, it will end in fizzle and smoke. You won't 
conciliate him, and yet he lends me money whenever I 
run short, for his rich old uncle, Paul Punschkin, keeps 
him liberally supplied, and more than once he has 
helped me out of a tight place when I had lost at cards. 



44 DRACHKOV. 

Olga. — And you borrowed money from Vassili to pay 
your losses at cards. 

Serge. — And the household expenses, too, sometimes ; 
if you only knew it when you treat him so contemptu- 
ously, and do not think him good enough to speak to. 

Olga., aside. — And this is my brother. 

Serge. — And now, will you treat him more graciously? 

Olga, resuming her painting. — No ; but I will work to 
pay your debts that I may treat him with the contempt 
he deserves. 

Enter Vassili, d. r. 



SCENE III. 

OLGA, SERGE and VASSILI. 

Vassili. — Maronchka let me in at the outside door, 
and I did not think it worth while to knock here (throivs 
his hat and cane on table and stretches himself out on an 
arm chair). How are you this afternoon, Serge, and the 
beautiful and sullen Olga, too. You don't seem to 
think ordinary mortals worth your notice since you 
have been consorting with Counts and General Gov- 
ernors. 

Serge. — Vassili, be careful, I beg you. 

Olga takes no notice, of them and continues painting . 

Vassili. — Careful, and why should I be careful. Has 
anyone had any regard for my happiness, any consid- 
eration for my feelings? Did I not beg, did I not 
supplicate Olga Ivanovna not to go to the house of that 
cursed Drachkov ? 



ACT III. 45 

Serge. — But it was that domineering Strogonov's 
doings. He always overrides everyone. 

Vassili. —Everyone ! Olga seemed madly eager to 
play the role of Judith to this new Holofernes. Only 
this time Judith hesitated, and Holofernes was permit- 
ted to live. 

Olga, riving. — Vassili Petrovich, you presume upon 
the money which, T have just learnt, you have lent my 
brother. You may consider this house belongs to you ; 
but me you will never see in it again. 

Exit Olga, d. r. 

SCENE IV. 

SERGE and VASSILI. 

Vassili. — Oh ! I am desperate and reckless now ; what 
more have I to live for ? You have all plotted together 
to ruin my future and break my heart. 

Serge. — And do you think I have no troubles, no 
anxieties, too ? If your uncle were to discover all ! 

Vassili. — What do I care. What is there to keep me 

in Russia, anyway ? 

(Noise of steps outside.) 

Serge. — Hush ! there is someone coming ; it must be 
Strogonov ; he never knocks. 

Enter Strogonov, d. I. 



SCENE V. 
SERGE, VASSILI and STROGONOV. 

Strogonov throws his hat on chair and comes down centre. 



46 DRACHKOV. 

Strogonov. — You seem to take your lives easily. One 
•would suppose that everything was rolling on velvet. 
Where is Olga Ivanovna ? 

Serge. — She has had a quarrel with Vassili and has 
gone to her room. 

Stroganov. — I am glad to hear it. That attempt of 
two weeks ago has cured me of ever trying to use 
women in conspiracies again. 

Serge. — That's what I told you at the beginning. 

Vassili.— I hope you were satisfied with that fine 
experiment, Ivan Vassilievich, for you have given Drach- 
kov a partisan, maybe a spy in our camp, for you can 
scarcely expect Olga to prefer our interests to those of 
her lover. 

Strogonov. — You are a fool, Vassili Petrovich. You 
suppose I don't know what took place that day between 
Oiga and Drachkov. She, a weak, feminine creature, 
without sustained energy or volition ; he, a strong, 
robust man, he terrorized her nerves, and she turned 
and fled like the coward she is, that is all ; but I think 
all the same, that Drachkov was warned beforehand. 

Vassili. — Warned! What makes you think that? 

Serge. — That Nicholas Dimitrovich perhaps; I was 
wrong to trust him, for 3 have not seen him since. 

Strogonov. — Perhaps he, perhaps some other. (Looking 
at Vassili.) 

Serge. — Is there any one 3 r ou suspect ' 

Strogonov. — I never tell my suspicious till they become 
certainties, and then — then I do not tell them at all, but 
leave it to my vengeance to indicate them. 

(Vassili starts, Strogonov observes him closely.) 



ACT III. 47 

Strogonov. — But when one plan fails, it is my custom 
to form another. After entrusting the punishment of 
Drachkov to a woman, on whom no reliance was to be 
placed, I have now determined to choose men on whom 
my hold is secure, (looking at Vassili, then at Serge.) By 
the way, Serge, that was a big check you cashed at the 
Imperial Bank last week. 

{Serge, and Vassili start, and draw back their chairs.) 

Strogonov. — And now to work. 

(Enter Olga, d. r. pauses behind the screen with jewel casein 
her hand.) 



SCENE VI. 

STROGONOV, SERGE, VASSILI, and OLGA behind 
the screen. 

Olga. — I will give him this, I will give him my mo- 
ther's diamonds, and see if that will pay him, if that will 
free the house of his hated presence. 

Steogonov. — A woman failed to kill Drachkov, we will 
see what men can do. 

Olga. — Kill Drachkov! 

Steogonov. — But this time we will adopt a different 
method, and no one can accuse me of injustice, and 
severity, for chance shall decide which of us will have 
the honor, and the responsibility. 

Vassili and Serge. — Which of us ? 

Strogonov. — Yes, which of us three ; for you two I 
hold and you know it; and on myself I can rely. And 
now for the arrangements. This time there shall be 



48 DRACHKOV. 

no delay to give traitors a chance to betray us. This 
time the deed shall be done to-night. 

Olga, daggering, and catching screen for sujypoH. — To 
night. Oh ! my God ! 

Vassili. — Traitors ! 

Strogonov. — This time there will be no delay for 
criminals who wish to escape, and woe to those who 
fail in their duty. 

Olga. — Duty! what a mockery it seems now ! 

Strogonov. — The last time we armed our envoy with 
a petition, and attempted an open entrance ; but this 
time we are all too well known to run such risks. We 
must penetrate into the palace secretly, under cover of 
the crowd who will be drawn there by the dinner given 
to the government Inspector Rapskine who arrives from 
Moscow, to-night. 

Serge. — But will not that very crowd deprive us of 
every chance of escape. 

Strogonov, aside. — The cowards ! they would betray 
me now if they dared. If it facilitates your entrance, 
will it not also facilitate your exit. Besides a few roubles 
scattered here and there, grease the hinges of many 
doors in our great, and progressive country. Matvei, 
the Governor's stupid valet, who acts as assistant porter 
of the side door thrown open on such occasions, would 
admit the devil himself, if he brought ten roubles with 
him, as a passport ; aye and conduct him up to the 
gallery leading to Drachkov's private apartments where 
he among us whom fate honors with his choice must be 
placed at eleven o'clock to-night. 

Olga. — Eleven o'clock ! 



ACT III. 49 

Strogonov. — For it will be sometime between that 
hour, and midnight that Drachkov, who never stays up 
late at festivities will retire to his apartments. He will 
have to pass through the long gallery w T ith pillars, 
nothing will be easier than for a man to conceal himself 
behind one of them, and tire from there. 

Serge. — Fire from there, and it is a story above the 
street. 

Stkogonov, aside. — The contemptible coward, I 
believe he is afraid. {Aloud.) Yes, it is a story above the 
street ; but nevertheless much easier to escape from than 
the prison where they put forgers. Besides Drachkov 
is always all alone when he passes through the gallery 
in the evenings. 

Olga. — Always alone. Oh! my God! 

Stkogonov. — And now let us draw lots. {Taking from 
his pockets three slips of paper, and lifting his hat from chair.) 
There are our names all ready written; but in order that 
you may not accuse me of interference; you Vassili will 
hold the hat, while Serge draws out one of the pieces of 
folded paper. 

{Vassili takes the hat, and shakes it slowly, while Serge 
reluctantly selects one of the folded papers.) 

Serge, looking at papers. — Ah ! 

Stkogonov, snatches it from him, and reads. — Serge 
Ivanovich Milutine. 

Olga. — My brother! 

Stkogonov. — The fates have decided, and now remem- 
ber Serge, that he who wounds but does not kill, is lost; 
and you Vassili remember I will never forgive a second 



50 DRACHKOV. 

betrayal. And now to work, for there is no time to lose, 
and it is beginning to grow dark already. Come ! Come ! 
{Aside.) I shall not lose sight of them, if I can help it. 

Serge, aside. — The tyrant! the dictator. 

Vassili, aside. — The fates would have done better to 
select me; I, at least, could have put my heart in it. 

(Exeunt Strogonov, Serge and Vassili. Olga comes out from 
behind the screen, lays jewel box on table, and crosses 
toivards the center. ) 



SCENE VII. 

Olga. — My brother ! my poor brother, and they would 
make him do such a dastardly thing; fire like a coward 
from behind a pillar, kill him, that terrible, that heroic 
man; and he said I too have an unselfish soul, I too love 
humanity, I too have a heart for human woes. And they 
would kill him in that base and mean way, without even 
giving him a chance to defend his life. And he said he 
loved me. Ah! I believe it! I believe it! and I wil 
save him if i have to give my life for his. 

(Curtain.) 



ACT IV. 

Salon leading t& the private apartments of Drachkov in the 
Governor's palace. Massive, heavy, gilded wood furniture, up- 
holstered in red brocaded satin, walls painted in white and gold, 
somewhat in the French style, but more gaudily. Mirrors, mas- 
sive candelabra,etc. Large folding door in center of background. 

Door thrown open reveals hall with pillars. Enter Matvei 
ushering in Olga. 



SCENE I. 
MATVEI and OLGA. 

Matvei. — This way, Madame, this is the way. (Aside.) 
Twenty roubles, and a good joke besides. (Aloud.) 
This is the parlor leading to his excellency's private 
apartments. It would not do for you to wait out 
there, someone might pass and see you. 

Olga. — But when will the Governor leave the fete ? 
When will he come to this parlor ? 

Matvei, aside. — She seems mighty impatient. If the 
Governor turns gallant, there's no telling but my for- 
tune may be made. (Aloud.) He generally comes in by 
twelve o'clock. 

Olga.— -Twelve o'clock! Oh! couldn't you warn 
him ? Tell him there is some one here wants to see 



52 DRACHKOV. 

him on a matter of the utmost importance. Tell him it 

is a matter of life and death. 

Matvei, aside. — Did ever any one see a pretty girl so 

impatient, and anyone would think his excellency 

would be a mighty grim lover. {Aloud as Olga slips a 

twenty-rouble note into his hand.) I will do the very best 

I can ; besides I am sure his excellency must expect you, 

and I know he would not have the heart to keep such a 

beautiful young lady waiting. 

■ 
Olga. — Oh ! if you only knew. If I could only tell 

you what a serious matter it is. 

Matvei, aside. — Did anyone ever see such impatience? 
Who would have thought his excellency was so charm- 
ing? (Aloud.) I will do the very best I can, madame, 
the very best I can. (Aside.) Maybe she will give me 
something more. 

Exit Malcei. 



SCENE II. 

Olga, looking at clock. — And it is already a quarter to 
eleven. My God ! My God ! if Serge should be there 
already ! If they should discover him ! If they should 
drag him away; and he ! — he, if he should come through 
the gallery and they should kill him. Kill him, while 
he were coming in response to my prayers. 

Enter Strakovski, by folding door, c.f. 



SCENE III. 

STKAKOVSKI and OLGA. 

Strakovski. — When Matvei told me there was a lady 
here who wanted to see the General Governor, there 



ACT IV. 53 

was an instinct in my heart that told me it was you, and 
so I came first, before I warned him. 

Olga. — But, oh! sir, you will tell him, without losing 
time. 

Strakovski. — And why should I tell him, madame, 
that you who came the first time to treacherously and 
basely assassinate him, are here again, with the same pur- 
pose perhaps, emboldened by the immunity which his 
generosity and your youth and beauty have given you. 

Olga. — I assassinate him, I ! If you only knew ! Oh ! 
sir, there is no time to lose. 

Strakovski. — And can you deny that on your first 
visit to this house it was your purpose to assassinate 
General Drachkov ; that for that you forced your way 
through guarded doors, armed with a lying petition, 
trusting to the compassion of your victim to facilitate 
your attempt to murder him. 

Olga. — Sir, you are cruel, but I do not deny the 
truth of what you say. 

Strakovski. — Believe me, madame, I do not wish to 
be severe ; it is hard even to be firm with a woman so 
beautiful as you ; but I have no right to show weakness 
when the life of my chief is at stake, a chief whom I 
respect, and whom I love, for he is worthy of all respect 
and all affection. 

Olga. — His life ! Oh! sir, it is his life you endanger 
by your delay ; for to him alone I can confide my 
secret, for in his magnanimity alone I trust. 

Strakovski, a little moved. — You may trust in mine, 
also, madame ; you may confide that secret to me. Gen- 
eral Drachkov will not keep it better than I will, and he 



54 DRACHKOV. 

will obey the injunctions which concern his safety much 
less carefully than I, I do not trust you yet, madame. 
I have no right to trust you when his life is at stake. 

Olga. — His life ; but do you not see you are losing it 
by your delay. Oh ! if I could only say something to 
convince you. Sir, I beg, I implore you, go to General 
Drachkov, and tell him to come here without delay. 
Tell him I cannot confide in you, I cannot confide in 
anyone else, because there is another life at stake, a life, 
very, very precious to me, and that to him, and him 
alone, I trust to save it. 

Strakovski, aside. — She seems so sincere. One would 
say they were real tears. (Aloud.) And what would 
you gain anyway, madame, by deceiving me ; for before 
warning General Drachkov of your presence here, I 
would have every door of this room guarded and sol- 
diers placed behind all the pillars in the gallery, so 
there would be no hope 01 escape for you or your 
accomplices. 

Olga, aside. — Behind the pillars ! Accomplices ! 
(aloud.) I accept all your conditions, only go, go quickly 
for there is not a minute to lose. 

Strakovski. — I will go, madame, but remember if you 
have deceived me, you will have no more implacable 
judge than I. 

(Exit Strakovski.) 



SCENE IV. 

Olga. — My poor Serge, if they should find him already 
in the gallery. If they should drag him to prison, into 
exile, and I, I his sister had been the cause of his ruin. 



ACT IV. 55 

(looking at clock.) Five minutes to eleven, God have 
pity, how the hands fly ! only five minutes in which to 
save my brother, only five minutes to save him, the other 
one, that implacable, proud man, whose voice vibrated 
to the dephs of my heart. Ah ! for which does it beat 
now, weak, foolish creature. Oh ! if he were to 
betray my confidence, if he were to look again, as he did 
when he spoke those terrible, those insulting words. 
Bat that I cannot believe. No ! no ! he could not be 
so vile. But he said he would sacrifice the life of any 
man who stood in the way of the independence, and 
future of Russia. If he were to consider Serge such a 
man. Oh ! that would be too horrible. 

(Enter DrachJcov by d. c. f. He close* door behind him, and 
pauses on the threshold.) 



SCENE V. 

DRACHKOV, and OLGA. 

Drachkov. — Tell me, tell me Olga Ivanovna, what 
brings you here to-night? It would not become you to 
deceive me further. I do not fear death; but oh ! God! 
if you knew what a cold chill passes through my heart 
at the thought that I may lose the last beautiful illusion 
which can glorify, or ennoble my life. Speak, Olga 
Ivanovna, what brings you here to-night? 

Olga. — I! I — Oh! be merciful general Drachkov, and 
save my brother. He is weak, and timid, he never would 
have formed such a project, if— if others had not inspired 
him with it. 

Drachkov. — Ah! I think you are mistaken. It is the 
weak, and timid always, who select crooked paths, when 



56 DRACHKOV. 

straight ones would be so much easier to find. And with 
his character, and habits of life, the end was fatal, and 
must have come sooner, or later. 

Olga. —The end! the end. Oh ! my poor Serge, and 
have they — have they arrested him already. But you ! 
you will have the power to release him, you are brave, 
you are magnanimous. Oh ! do not be pitiless. 

Drachkov. — I release him I will do all I can, but why 
did you not send me a letter, why did you come here 
to-night to — to these apartments, and then send me a 
message with such displays of secrecy ; telling me you 
wanted to see me alone, that you had secrets unsuited 
to any other ear. Why did you do this, Olga Ivanovna. 
Who inspired you with these strange calculations. 

Olga. — I alone ! my own heart. 

Drachkov. — Your heart, and could your heart, that I 
believed so innocent, so pure, so holy, if so misguided, 
could that heart alone, and unaided form such plans. 
Then I have been indeed deceived, and you were the 
intelligent instrument, the worthy associate of your 
brother, and his friends. But you are wrong, I am not as 
vile as you supposed. I will not sell you your brother's 
freedom, I will give it to you, I will write, myself to Vas- 
sili Petrovich's uncle, urging him not to prosecute his 
nephew, and your worthy brother, for forging his name. 
I will myself pay him the twenty thousand roubles, the 
amount of the check your brother presented at the Im- 
perial Bank last week, and whose falsity was reported to 
Baron Bapskine two days ago in Moscow. It may not 
yet be too late, your brother may not yet be arrested, his 
fault may not yet have become public. I think in any case 
I can assure you of his safety. And, now Olga Ivanovna 



ACT IV. hi 

I think you have no cause to remain longer here ; but 
you have misjudged Dimitri Drachkov, he may have 
many faults, but he is incapable of a meanness. 

Olga. — He, a forger, my brother Serge. He commit 
so mean a crime. But, oh ! if that were all. 

Drachkov. — And is there something else, some other 
service I can render you. Speak, what is it V 

{Chiming tonus of church bell heard striking eleven o'clock.) 

Olga. — Eleven! and he may be there in the gallery 
already, and then they will find him, they will drag him 
away, they will send him into exile. Oh ! have pity, he 
is weak, he has done wrong, but he is my brother; and 
we were children together. Oh ! he may be there now ! 
Will you not help me to save him. 

Draohkov. — He, Serge Milutine, there in the gallery, 
and what should he be there for? 

Olga. — Oh ! that I should have to tell you, but you 
can be generous, you are safe. And he ! he has really 
done nothing. It was the others who made him do it, 
he but drew the lot, as he was bid. But you, you are 
safe, you need not punish any one Qioise of tramping 
heard in the outside gallery.) Oh! there are the guards, 
the guards who have come to drag him away. 

(Olga goes up towards the door. Drachkov advancts between 
her, and it.) 

Drachkov. — You shall not leave here, Olga, till you 
have give me the key to this mystery. Why should your 
brother be in that gallery, what danger have I escaped? 

Olga — But you will forgive him, he is weak, he only 
yielded to the others. 



58 DRACHKOV. 

Drachkov. — And I, what have I to forgive him ? Is 
he in that gallery in ambuscade to assassinate me ? 

Olga, in a low voice. — Yes ! 

Noise of tramping and loud speaking in the gallery. 

Olga. — Oh ! do you not hear them, and you need but 
to throw the door open, but to say one word, and you 
can save him. 

Drachkov, standing in front of door. — But had you no 
influence with him, this weak brother of yours, that you 
could prevent his coming ? 

Olga. —But then — then they would have sent another 
to do the same cruel work, another to — 

Drachkov, interrupting her vehemently. — And then it 
was to save me you came, to save me, my little soul of 
paradise. 

Louder noise of talking and confused tramping outside. 

Olga. — Oh! will you not save him, and I thought you 
so magnanimous, so heroic. 

Drachkov. — Heroism can do nothing here, my little 
Olga. Do you hear that voice. That is Baron Bap- 
skine, the envoy of the Government. My authority 
could do nothing against his report. 

Olga. — But will you do nothing ? Can you not try 

(seizing his hand imploringly) ? 

Drachkov. — And do you think there is anything I 
would not attempt to win one gentle word, one tender 
glance from you. But if Bapskine were to see you 
here, to learn that it was your brother who had at- 
tempted my assassination, it is not he, it is not I, it is 
you who would be lost. 



ACT IV. 59 

Olga. — Let me pass ! Let me pass ! "What is my life 
to me ? 

Drachkov. — But to me it is the world and the future ; 
all that can glorify the one or brighten the other. To 
me it is hope, it is youth, it is heaven. 

A shot, followed by an outcry, heard without 

Olga. — My brother ! My poor brother ! (Faints ; 
Drachkov catches her in his arms.) 

Drachkov. — And she came here to save me, she risked 
everything to save me. My soul, my pretty little soul, 
it would be a strong hand could take you from me now. 

(Curtain.) 



ACT Y. 

SCENE I. 

Olga still fainting in arm chair, I. c, Drachkov kneeling 
beside her. 

Drachkov. — My generous arid noble love, I knew 
those tender, dark eyes that looked so defiantly at me, 
but glanced so tenderly at the weak and the pitiful, did 
not lie. I knew there was a proud and pure soul behind 
them. (Olga opens her eyes; Drachkov rises.) Do not 
be afraid, my little Olga, I shall not hurt you ; no one 
will harm you here. 

Olga. — Ah! I remember all. My brother, my poor 
Serge. I will go to him. (Bises mid goes up towards door. 
Drachkov advances as if to obstruct her passage to it. 

Drachkov. — Remain here, my little Olga ; but promise 
me to remain here, and I will go. If mortal man can 
save him now, I will. 

Door thrown open and enter St rakovski followed by Remirov. 



SCENE II. 
DRACHKOV, OLGA, STRAKOVSKI and REMIROV. 

Olga. — Nicholas Demitrovich. He here ! 



ACT V. 61 

Strakovski. — My general, I ask your pardon for this 
unannounced intrusion, but Kemirov Iras just identified 
the man shot in the gallery, and then, I will confess it, 
I was anxious and did not think you should be left 
longer in ignorance of what has occurred. 

Olga. — My poor Serge. Why did I leave him ? 

Drachkov. — Remirov might have chosen another time 
to make that communication, and in any case such an 
intrusion is unpardonable and wholly inexplicable. 

Remirov. — But when I identified the dead man — 

Olga. — Dead ! (Staggers as if about to fall ; Drachkov 
supports her.) 

Remirov. — Your excellency will pardon me, but when 
I found that the man who shot himself was that Ivan 
Vassilievich Strogonov. 

Olga. — Ivan. 

Drachkov. — Ivan Strogonov shot himself in the gal- 
lery, and why ? 

Strikovski. — The guards I had placed in the gallery 
having discovered him behind one the pillars, attempted 
to arrest him, and he, feeling himself overpowered, 
placed a pistol to his breast, and shot himself through 
the heart, preferring to die rather than yield. 

Olga. — And then it was not Serge, it was not my poor 
brother after all. 

Drachkov. — Hush ! Olga, do not betray yourself here. 
And before dying did he make any confession ; did he 
name any accomplices ? 

Strakovski. — No, he only said " Cowards ! cowards 
they have abandoned me." 



62 DRACHKOV. 

Olga. — Abandoned him ! 

Drachkov, in a low voice. — Do not be excited, my 
child, but leave this to me. Abandoned him ! Then 
there were accomplices, but they must have fled out of 
his reach, probably out of ours ; but what do you sup- 
pose could have been his purpose ? 

. Eemirov. — Can your excellency ask? Assassination 
undoubtedly, and whose only victim could have been 
that one whose life is the most valuable and the most 
important. 

Drachko?. — You flatter me Remirov, but go now, and 
inquire if there is no information you can give Baron 
Rapskine. 

Remtrov. — Very well, excellency. 

Exit Remii^ov. 



SCENE III. 

DRACHKOV, OLGA and STRAKOVSKI. 

Strakovsej. — And I, my general, have you no orders 
for me. 

Drachkov. — No orders, Vladimir, but a favor to ask of 
your friendship, that you should remain for a little 
while out there, and warn me if anyone comes in the 
gallery, that this young lady may leave the palace, as 
she has entered it, unobserved. 

Strakovski. — I shall be only too happy, my General- 
(Aside.) Bah! there's no danger of assassination here. 

Exit Strakovski. 



ACT V. 63 

SCENE IV. 

DRACHKOV and OLUA. 

Drachkov. — You see he has abandoned you, my Olga, 
your unworthy brother. 

Olga. — But wherever he is, whatever may be his 
faults, I must seek him, I must care for him, weak and 
yielding as he is. 

Dkachkov. — And how could you care for him, Olga, 
you who are not weak, you who are noble, but impress-' 
ionable, and yielding too ; you with whom egotistical 
impulses, and personal considerations would be jDOwerless 
but who would be swept away in the whirlwind of every 
generous enthusiasm, till it bore you to a position, and a 
resolution like that which first brought you to this house. 
No ! it is my duty to care for you, to save you from 
yourself, to protect you from your brother's friends. 
And when duty, and passion are one, do you think I 
will ever yield, Olga Ivanovna. 

Olga. — And for what can you hope Dimitri Michaelo- 
vich. Our lives, our thoughts, our ideas, our sympathies 
have all been different. 

Drachkov.— Thoughts, ideas, what are they in com- 
parison with character, it is character alone which is 
eternal, it is character alone which attracts, it was 
character which bewitched me in your proud, and defiant 
grace, it was still character in it's strength, and sincerity 
which drew you to me, and caused the weapon to drop* 
from your hand, powerless, as you felt to use it against 
a kindred spirit. Ah ! that action alone condemns you, 
that is your true acknowledgement, that is your true 
confession. What are thoughts to those whose feelings 
are alike. 



64 DRACHKOV. 

Olga.— But even if you were right, I could never 
abandon my brother, weak, and criminal as he is, 
digraced perhaps. 

DrachkoV. — You shall not leave me so without a word, 
without a promise, (kneeling, and kissing Olga's hand. ) 
Olga, my 01 ga if you knew what I suffered when they 
told me it was you who were coming on that wicked, 
that heartless errand, you whose image was enshrined 
in my heart as the holiest, and the most exquisite of 
created beings. Olga, my Olga, but a word, but a 'pro- 
mise. Say Dimitri, I love you, and I will let you go. 

(Door in the back ground thrown violently open, and enter 
Eapskine, followed by StrakovsH, Remirov, Matvei, and 

guards.) 



SCENE V. 

DRACHKOV, OLGA, EAPSKINE, STKAKOVSKI, 
REMIROV, MATVEI, and GUARDS. 

Rapskine. — I — I really beg your pardon general 
Drachkov. Prince Strakovski didnt want me to come in 
but I insisted, fearing you might be in danger, that this 
— this matter might be connected with the conspirator. 
Young men are so careless in such things. But I really 
beg your pardon, I wont disturb you. ( Aside.) When I 
tell this in Petersbourg, no one but the mothers with 
marriageable daughters will believe it. 

Remirov, aside. — And he would drag me here too to 
identify the dangerous conspirator. 

Matvei, aside, — This is a greater joke than I counted 



ACT V. 65 

Duachkov, rising calmly to his feel. — There is no occasion 
for apologies Baron Rapskine, Prince Strakovski was 
wrong, you were at perfect liberty to enter. Permit me 
to present you to this young lady, "Olga Ivanovna 
Milutiue, who in order to warn me of the threatened 
assassination has risked many dangers, and some mis- 
construction. 

Rapskine. — I shall not misconstrue, Dimitri Michaelo- 
vich, I shall not misconstrue anything at all. (Aside.) 
She's develish pretty, but who would have ever thought 
that Drachkov was up to such larks. (Aloud.) But let 
me see, Milutine; is that not the same name as, I beg 
the pretty young lady's pardon, but is it not the same 
name as that of the young scamp whose queer forgery 
I was telling you about this afternoon. 

Drachkov, aside to Olga. — Control yourself, my soul. 
I have promised to save him. (Aloud.) There is no 
offense, the same name does not alwa} r s indicate the 
same family, much less the same sentiments. 

Rapskine. — Well, what do you think. He somew r ay got 
a suspicion we were after him, and escaped this evening 
with the very nephew of his victim, and the strange 
thing about it is that they have not left the smallest 
clue by which to track them. 

(Strakovski and Rapskine r. c, talking. Bemirov, and 3Iatcei 
near the back ground, ivith guards. Olga, and Drachkov 
left towards the foreground.) 

Duachkov. — He has deserted you without a. word, 
without a thought, you young, beautiful, and alone 
without relatives or friends to care for, or protect you. 
Oh ! my noble Olga, if you would but trust me. 



•66 DRACHKOV. 

Olga. — You were right. He is unworthy, (giving 
Drachkov her hand) and I do trust you Dimitri, now, and 
forever. 

Rapskine, turning around gayly. — But now, I mu^t be 
going General Drachkov to look after the conspirators, 
but by the way who will answer for the loyalty of this 
young lady who brings such mysterious, and timely 
warnings. 

Strakovski, aside. — The blundering old fool. 

Drachkov, with dignity leading Olga across towards 
Rapskine. — I will answer for the loyalty of my wife, the 
Countess Drachkov. 

(Curtain.) 







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